NDSU will not suspend players in petition fraud

A North Dakota State University official says football players who have been charged with faking petition signatures to get measures on the November ballot will not be suspended from the team.

Officials said previously that any discipline would want until after misdemeanor fraud charges were resolved.

But after the Bison defeated Colorado State 22-7 Saturday, NDSU athletic director Gene Taylor told the Forum newspaper there would be no suspensions. He says the players do not deserve suspensions and as far as he and Coach Craig Bohl are concerned, the matter "is over."

Nine current players are among 15 people accused of faking signatures on well-funded initiatives dealing with a conservation fund and medical marijuana.

With the suspect petitions disqualified, neither initiative had enough signatures to get on the ballot.